How Chelsea can lineup with record signing Moises Caicedo in midfield

Chelsea have sealed the much awaited signing of Moises Caicedo, paying a British record of £115 million. CFC will pay £100 million as fixed fee and another £15 million based on add-ons with the 21 year old signing an eight year deal with the Blues.

The Caicedo saga had dragged on for months with CFC remaining in constant contact with Brighton in the last few weeks. A number of Chelsea bids were turned down as the Seagulls stuck their valuation. Chelsea were ready to make the £100 million bid that is when Liverpool made an offer in an attempt to hijack the deal. The Reds were submitted a British record bid of £110 million that was accepted by Brighton.

Chelsea could have seen months of their hard work go in vain as LFC had agreed a deal with Brighton. The pendulum swung back in Chelsea’s favour because Caicedo had an agreement on personal terms with Chelsea for months and he decided to respect his promise of joining CFC. The Blues ultimately made the £115 million bid and sealed the transfer for the 21 year old.

How Chelsea can lineup with Moises Caicedo

His arrival uplifts a depleted midfield that has been lacking a reliable No.6. Caicedo’s arrival frees up Enzo Fernandez to push forward and not be held captive by the extra defensive responsibilities. Mauricio Pochettino will be delighted to have Caicedo in the team.

Moises Caicedo in a Chelsea double pivot in 4-2-3-1

The Ecuadorian is likely to play in a midfield pivot alongside Fernandez. Pochettino is known for using the 4-2-3-1 extensively and having a midfield core of Fernandez and Caicedo pretty much ticks all the boxes. Caicedo is there to break up play and Fernandez is there to make press resistant runs forward and thread silky passes forward.

Caicedo is capable of covering an enormous amount of ground and should be able to do the required defensive work with some support of Fernandez. The 21 year old played in a midfield pivot at Brighton under Roberto Di Zerbi and the system functioned exceptionally well thanks to Caicedo’s omnipresence in the midfield.

Moises Caicedo in Chelsea’s 4-3-3

If Pochettino decides to use two No.8s, Caicedo could be locked in as a defensive midfielder ahead of the defence. In possession, Reece James would push forward as Raheem Sterling would cut inside that would see Caicedo operate almost like a right sided centre back and cover the ground. Out of possession, the Ecuadorian will sit at the base of the midfield.

The 21 year old will be the sole protector of the back four and in such a system, Fernandez will have more freedom in the attack.

Moises Caicedo in Chelsea’s 3-4-3

In CFC’s first game of the Premier League, Pochettino deployed a back three system with two midfielders and two wing backs forming the four men in the middle. When playing in a back  three formation, one of the midfielders, in this case Fernandez, will have to push ahead and Caicedo will have mop up and do the defensive work. The 21 year old is excellent at winning the ball back and even consistently spraying passes.

The Ecuadorian midfielder would get more freedom in this system but it remains to be seen how often does Pochettino use the three at the back formation. With Caicedo’s arrival and the potential arrival of Romeo Lavia, the Argentine manager will use his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 setup.

What role will Moises Caicedo play?